Mad Dogs & Englishmen: An All-British car show at the Gilmore - Part 1

Last year, I went to the Mad Dogs and Englishmen show at the Gilmore Car Museum, and I enjoyed it. So much so that I went again this year. The show draws hundreds of British cars, their owners (of course), and enthusiasts to the lawns of the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan.

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As I walked out of the museum after paying my admission, the first thing that greeted me was the collection of E-type Jags. Considered by many to be the most beautiful car ever built (I'm still not sure), there were several on display. More keen enthusiasts could tell me the difference between the years, and each little piece that gives it away, but, sadly, I didn't have much opportunity to discuss this with the owners.

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The lines of the E-type, especially the roadster, flow very nicely. The cars look sleek. The long hood line, the rearward seating position, and the teardrop-shaped rear end.

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Most of the E-types in attendance had the inline 6 in either 3.8 litres or 4.0 litres..

Some had the 5.3 litre V-12 engine.

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The interiors of the E-type were well appointed, with nice leather bucket seats, a nicely-finished wood steering wheel and an array of gauges and switches.

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Perhaps my favorite part of the E-type design is the clamshell front. The entirety of the front end opens up in one piece, with the bumper contacting the ground.

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The Coupe and 2+2 models had this streamlined rear body line, with a large rear door.

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While the Roadsters had a much more pleasing body line, with the rear deck and fender arches creating a nice contour to the rear bumpers.

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